After 200 years of mystery, scientists solve one of the most important mysteries of physical chemistry

Scientists were unable to accurately and convincingly explain how protons move in water 200 years ago when Theodor Grotthus proposed a theory about it.

However, as a result of a recent study by an international group of scientists, it was possible to show a theory that answers this question, according to Ben-Gurion University in Israel.

like a proton move through the water? 💧 Many researchers have tried update Grotgus mechanism.

Now ERC grantee Eric Nibbering. @FVB_adlershof reproduced model suggested by Ehud Pines during an x-ray to find a solution. @physorg_com: https://t.co/nUljFpMbJ1rice.twitter.com/PiniI7WLMu

— European Research Council (ERC) (@ERC_Research) October 1, 2022

In 1806, Theodor Grotthus hypothesized, known as the Grotthus “proton jump” mechanism, how charge flows through a solution of water in which an extra proton affects the hydrogen-bonding network of water molecules or other hydrogen-bonded liquids. cleavage or formation of covalent bonds.

Ehud Pines and his proton transfer mechanism!!! Amazing things! perseverance over of the year! Mainsail replaced with “Pine Gear”.
Nibbering paper:https://t.co/S76xxl1Kem
Comment for Pines here:https://t.co/LB10BWP9BQ

— Jyotishman Dasgupta (@jd1278) October 1, 2022

While the Grots hypothesis was a very progressive thought back then, before protons or even the actual structure of water were known, modern scientists have long known that it did not provide a full understanding of what was going on at the molecular level.

And perhaps the latest discovery on this topic is to unravel the mystery by solving the electronic structures of wet protons that have remained elusive for so long.

Scientists conducted an X-ray absorption experiment to measure the effect of the charge of a proton on the internal electronic structure of oxygen atoms in water, confirming that protons move through water in “three-molecular chains (chains) of water,” as proposed by Ehud Pines, a chemist at Ben-Gurion University. in the Negev in Israel.

The results showed that the presence of a proton denatures three water molecules, forming “chains or chains” of “protonated” water molecules.

“The particle sequence builds paths at the bottom to move them around, then dismantles and rearranges the paths in front of it to continue moving forward. It’s a loop of track that disappears, reappears, and continues indefinitely,” the team explains.

“Discussions about the Groth mechanism and the nature of the proton solubility in water have been heated up because this is one of the most fundamental problems in chemistry. Understanding this mechanism is pure science, which pushes the boundaries of our knowledge and changes one of our basic concepts of one of the mass and charge transfer mechanisms in nature, ”continued Baines.

The results of the new study seem compelling because they combine a theoretical approach with physical experiments, made possible by recent technological developments.

The scientists used an X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) experiment to observe how proton charges affect electrons in individual oxygen atoms in water.

As expected, the effect was stronger on three water molecules, despite different ranges for each individual molecule in the triple block.

The team found groups of three molecules that form chains with a proton. The scientists also combined quantum-level chemical modeling and calculations to determine the interaction between protons and neighboring water molecules as the protons move through the liquid.

“Understanding this mechanism is pure science, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and changing one of our core concepts for one of nature’s most important mass transport and delivery mechanisms,” Baynes says.

The discovery plays a role in many other chemical processes, including photosynthesis, cellular respiration and energy transfer in hydrogen fuel cells.

“Everyone has been thinking about this problem for over 200 years, so it was quite difficult for me to decide to study it,” Baines added. “Seventeen years later, I am grateful that I found a solution, and I show It.”

The results of the study were published in detail in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Source: Science Alert.

The post After 200 years of mystery, scientists solve one of the most important mysteries of physical chemistry appeared first on Asume Tech.

from Technology - Asume Tech https://asumetech.com/after-200-years-of-mystery-scientists-solve-one-of-the-most-important-mysteries-of-physical-chemistry/